Maoist’s Ram Karki Criticizes MCC and BRI as Not in Nepal’s Interest

CPN (Maoist Center) leader Ram Karki has expressed his concerns regarding the American cooperation project Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), stating that these initiatives are not in the best interest of Nepal. Karki made these remarks during a program organized by Tribhuvan University, Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS).

Karki highlighted the potential risks of Nepal getting entangled in a geopolitical trap and called upon foreign experts to take the lead in formulating a foreign policy that would help the country avoid such entanglements. He stressed the importance of understanding the implications of projects like the MCC and BRI, emphasizing the need for extensive discussions and debates to gain clarity on these matters.

While the MCC in Nepal is currently in the implementation stage, no significant progress has been made on any of the projects under the BRI. The United States is urging the speedy implementation of the MCC, while China claims that the Pokhara International Airport was constructed under the framework of the BRI.

Diplomatic experts analyze that the pressure exerted by the United States and China for the implementation of these projects in Nepal is driven by their own interests. They warn that Nepal faces the risk of falling into the geopolitical clutches of powerful nations.